William Byron to Start From the Pole in NASCAR Championship, Eyeing First Title for No. 24 Chevrolet Since 2001

Finalists for the Cup Series title will race in Phoenix; Byron seeks to become the first North Carolina-born driver to win the championship since 1999 and to add to Hendrick Motorsports' victorious record.

William Byron is positioned to win his first Cup Series championship, starting from the pole at Phoenix Raceway. The No. 24 Chevrolet vehicle he drives has not had a title since Jeff Gordon's win in 2001.
Byron has already won the Phoenix race earlier this year, and a victory this time would secure the Cup in his first appearance in NASCAR’s final four. Teammate Kyle Larson, former champion, qualifed fourth in another Chevy from Hendrick.
The other finalists are Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney, starting from the 13th and 15th positions respectively. Regardless of where they are starting, Larson believes 'they'll find their way to the front pretty quickly.'
Byron, who gave Hendrick Motorsports its 300th victory earlier this season, learned racing on a simulator as a one-time Liberty University student. His team boss Rick Hendrick sees his story as an inspiration for young racers.
If Byron wins the championship, he will be the first North Carolina-born driver to achieve this since Dale Jarrett in 1999, further cementing Hendrick Motorsports as NASCAR’s winningest organization based in Charlotte, North Carolina.